Period windows restored

CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS                                                 Marion Coupe

Progress?

      “Everywhere we look, history surrounds us. In each city, town, village and landscape, historic buildings and sites define the character of the places where we live and work. Losing these landmarks, through neglect and decay, changes the way a place looks for ever, and squanders its most valuable assets.”     Simon Thurley, Chief Executive, English Heritage

      These remarks by Simon Thurley illustrate the problems concerning many of us, all over the UK. We should not resist change, of course, but we should not make the mistake of believing that all change is progress. The concept of ‘progress’ (town motto of Blackpool) is essentially Victorian, reflecting an age where huge technological advances promised to transform society for the better. The consequences of change are not always immediately apparent, however, as illustrated by the global problems of the late 20th/early 21st century.

      Here, in Lytham St Annes, there has been a great deal of change recently which local people are not happy about, yet seem powerless to prevent. The demolition of buildings in the town, which indeed ‘define its character’, is still going on apace. A new character is emerging in St Annes: stylish flats, largely for the retired. Unfortunately, developers try to ‘pick off’ likely large sites all over the town, rather than in one area, and it is the responsibility of the Development Control Committee of Fylde B.C. to restrain them. The purpose of a Conservation Area is to define an area with some integrity of character in order to respect it.

      At our recent AGM the view was expressed that the battles we try to fight are more often lost than won. We must count our positive successes, however; the fine St Annes College building would not be there were it not for our efforts and Lytham promenade would be built up with a pub and casino ….

      St Annes Town Hall and Public Offices are not now to be demolished - owing to the power of public opinion we are told. Yet there has been an awful lot of public opinion expressed which opposes the diminution of Ashton Gardens. Sales of public assets which have been gifted to the town, in particular recreational areas, will never be popular. The council seems unwilling to back off on this one, and we can only wonder why it is determined to sell off part of the park instead of improving it. We do not accept the false excuse that it is being sold off in order to improve the rest - that is a very dangerous path to follow.

Town Halls

      We know that the Victorians were keen on the destruction of medieval town centres. They did replace them, however, with rather grand buildings on the whole, in particular with Town Halls and libraries. These now form part of the important community infrastructure which we find we are losing today. We welcome the news that the St Annes Public Offices will be kept for some sort of community use, possibly as a place for the new parish council to meet. We can accept that the Town Hall itself may not be suitable for use as offices but see no need to vandalise its interior. Minton Delft tiles have been removed from the toilets, and the council chamber furniture is for sale on E Bay. What next…?

      Lancaster and Morecambe Council has voted to keep both its town halls, whereas Blackpool has been trying hard to remove seating from its original council chamber. Blackpool Town Hall is a superb and proud listed building, and we hope the seating will yet be saved. Its removal can never be called ‘progress’, just small-minded short termism.

      The next development will be an attempt to enlarge Lowther Pavilion at the expense of the park in order to house the councillors. Parks and playing fields are soft targets which need our protection the most.

New windows

      An encouraging development amidst the rash of UPVC windows being inserted into Victorian houses is to be seen on Warton Street.

      The original windows had been replaced by larger ones, sometime in the last twenty years or so. We congratulate the owners on successfully re- creating the original look.

Heritage Open Days - September 10th-13th 2004

      Heritage Open Days celebrates England's architecture and culture by allowing visitors free access to interesting properties that are either not usually open or would normally charge an entrance fee. The event is England's biggest and most popular voluntary cultural event, attracting some 800,000 people every year. The Civic Trust gives central co-ordination and a national voice to the event, which is made possible by funding and support from English Heritage.

      Local sites in 2004 included Lytham Magistrates Court, Lytham Heritage Group archive room at Lytham library, Lytham Hall and Lytham windmill. We were sorry that the previously announced opening of the old St Annes Land and Building Company Boardroom at St Annes pier did not take place.

      Well over 200 visitors came to see Lytham Magistrates Court, and over 650 to Lytham Hall. Thank you to all those who helped make this possible.

      There were stewards, present and former magistrates explaining things, helpers in the kitchens at the Hall, and others, indeed, doing all sorts of jobs which needed to be done.

      We have purchased a new set of exhibition boards so that we could run two exhibitions at the same time, and these were arranged by members of the committee. There is a lot of work involved in this sort of event and it was good to see it all turn out a success. Please try to give a few hours of your time next year.

AGM 2004

45 members attended the AGM at Lytham Bowling Club. The existing committee was re-elected –

Chairman -                    Marion Coupe

Vice chair -                   Kath Wayland

Treasurer -                   Dennis Leyland

Secretary -                    vacant

Membership secretary - Barbara Salter

Technical secretary -     Marion Coupe

Social secretary -          Hilda Partington

Committee members -   Malcolm Burnett, Terry Dalton, Sue Cornah,

                                    Grant Smith, Bill Thompson, Janet Turner,

      John Bentham and Rob Wilkinson had been co-opted during the year and were elected as committee members. A warm welcome to everyone.

PLANNING                                                                           Marion Coupe

Housing policy

      Copies of the document ‘New Residential Development in Fylde Borough - Supplementary Planning Guidance’ are available. The demand for over 50% affordable housing is going to affect all developments in the town, particularly the type of property to be built. Discussions on commuted sums payable by developers to the council in lieu of such provision are already taking place and represent a major change in the reasons given for consent or otherwise. Payment of a sum to the council is intended to enable it to provide affordable housing on another site.

      Besides this, we do not believe it is acceptable that our FBC chief executive makes comment on planning applications. On the proposed Lytham Quays development Mr Lee was quoted in the local paper as saying that he believed that local people need to look at the bigger picture when it comes to new developments. He said “I can understand why people are concerned about this project - it would have a massive impact on Lytham. ……..they need to consider whether all the other elements of the plan would be positive for the area. For instance would it bring new prosperity and more jobs to Lytham?” (LSA Express 7 October 2004).

      This kind of one-sided comment from a man in such a position is out of order, particularly when much of the area involved is already zoned as industrial, i.e. it provides jobs, and there are those in the town trying to save it as such. Kensington Developments hold a huge land bank for development, and we do not like to see our council dazzled by promises of new clinics and schools in order to allow thousands of new houses to be built.

Heyhouses Retirement Village

      This is proposed for land off Waddington Road and Pilling Avenue, St Annes. The essence of the outline application is to seek permission for building on a playing field.  We regard this as totally unacceptable and unnecessary. The 70 acre Waddington Estate dates from 1963 and, although the houses and bungalows have become run-down and affected by subsidence, the playing field has been central to it and is centrally located. The playing field is an important open green space. Any new development of this site should be on the ‘brown field’ areas. We appreciate that it would involve greater problems in terms of re-housing existing tenants, but it would be possible with a gradual approach. To take the easy option of building on a playing field is not acceptable. The playing field is well established and contains mature trees.

      There are no guarantees, or even indications, on the planning application as to what might be put on the brown-field site once the playing field had been built on. There would be no recreational space whatsoever for at least two years. The issue of whether the development of an elderly persons’ village should be built at all should not be confused with the proposal to build it on the playing field.

Local Authority Historic Environment Champions

      This is a government initiative to try to increase the importance of local heritage. The introductory document says: “The historic environment is too often regarded as a hurdle to be overcome before a local authority can achieve its objectives, rather than a tool which can help it realise them.” This sounds familiar. Councillor Barbara Padgett has been appointed our Champion. We wish her luck and will support her all we can.

Civic Society Archives

      Over the years since 1960, when the Society was founded, a fair amount of paperwork has accumulated. We have scrapbooks which are put on show at Heritage Open Days and always attract a good deal of attention. There are other papers relating to projects we have been involved in, newsletters and programme cards. There is a need to conserve all these records away from damp and insects, and few of us now have room in our houses to store them. They are therefore being deposited at the County Record Office, Bow Lane, Preston. They will be available for all to study and form a unique insight into the development of the town. The role of the Civic Society has been a major one, and the number of large projects the group has taken on over the years is quite amazing.

MEMBERSHIP

      May we remind members that subscriptions are due on the 1st May. We are sending out individual reminders with this newsletter to members who have not renewed. Please consider setting up a standing order, which avoids reliance on memory and reduces administration.

      Many thanks for your continuing support.

WITCH WOOD                                                                    Bill Thompson

      Walkers through Witch Wood will have noticed that the latches on two pedestrian gates have broken. They failed because of the gates’ continual banging shut; they were apparently not designed for the strong spring (one of which has also failed). As we write, a solution is being arranged by Lancashire Wildlife Trust and the gates should be fixed soon (without the noise caused by the banging).

      We are still asked, by walkers passing through the wood, why we erected gates. We show them the evidence of large garden tree stumps, too heavy to lift, dumped in the wood, and ask them how else would we limit access?

      We are hoping that shortly the Council will be placing dog bins on its property at Alder Grove and Ringwood Close. (We have been expecting them since May).We should be pleased if dog owners would use them and encourage other dog owners to do likewise.

      We shall soon be erecting information boards at three entrances to the wood to explain the ownership and function of the woodland and will emphasise our wish to have freedom from litter and from dog mess.

      There will be working parties in the wood each Friday morning, except when meeting on the following Saturdays: Nov.13, Dec.11, Jan.15, Feb. 12 and March 12. We meet near Skew Bridge at 9.30 and would welcome anybody willing to lend a hand.

COMING EVENTS                                                            Hilda Partington

Thursday, 20^th November                                                    Assembly Rooms

Conserving our Heritage - Peter de Figueiredo MA. Dip. Arch.

                                    Historic Buildings Inspector, English Heritage

      Conservation of the things we treasure is one of the main aims of our society. Peter’s talk will give us all more insight and understanding of English Heritage and the work it does in the field of conservation. We must offer Peter a worthy and appreciative audience. Please bring your friends and help to make this a successful evening.

Thursday, 16^th December                                                    Assembly Rooms

Christmas Celebration - Buffet and Entertainment

      This evening will act as a start to our celebration of Christmas, with our usual friendly get-together. Don Sheerin and friends will entertain us, which along with a tasty buffet meal should provide us with an evening in which we can meet friends and celebrate.

      Owing to seating restrictions tickets are limited, so do book early, and I am sure you will not forget to include your stamped addressed envelope.

      Closing date for bookings: 12^th December.

Sunday, 9^th January                                                               Chadwick Hotel

New Year luncheon

      Seating is restricted. Don’t be disappointed, get your bookings in early and enjoy, what those present last year found, is a warm and friendly start to the New Year.

      Closing date for booking: 1^st January.

Saturday, 16^th April                                                                   Coach Outing

      This is advance notice of our visit to Shibden Hall near Halifax, Yorkshire. A place much recommended by previous visitors. More details in the next newsletter.

If you would like to comment on a planning application write to:

The Manager for the Built Environment

Fylde Borough Council

Derby Road

Wesham

PR4 3AJ